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(No Model.)

W. B. PARKER.

Potato" Bug Catcher.

No. 236,250. Patented Jan. 4, I881 *s'vfff y fizz/ZZZ)" flifwz x 75. M

N. PETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPMEE WASHINGTON, D C

,UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. PARKER, OF GREEN ISLAND, NEBRASKA.

POTATO-BUG CATCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,250, dated January 4, 1881. Application filed August 16, 1.880. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BENJAMIN PARKER, residing at Green Island, in the county of Cedar and State of Nebraska, have invented Improvements in Potato-Bug Catchers, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement consists in combining with a bug-catcher having a guard and a handle, a rod extending longitudinally and curved outwardly sufficiently to accommodate the arm of the operator, which is passed through it in order to grasp the handle. This rod, bearing as it does against the arm, gives the operator sufficient. purchase to place the catcher in any desired position, which-cannot well be done without the assistance of the leg or foot with the devices heretofore used.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawing, which represents a perspective view of myimproved catcher.

A is a semi-cylindrical basin, preferably of tin, having semicircular ends B B, and having one side extended up to form a shield, O. A rib, D, extends up both ends and along the top of the shield, so as to giveit sufficient rigidity without the aid of thesides, which, if extended up for that purpose, would be in the way of the bushes. A rim, E, projecting inwardly from the other side and the two ends of the basin, prevents the escape of the bugs.

I is a curved iron rod attached at each end to the back of the shield O, and bent outward therefrom, so as to allow of the passage of the arm of the user. G is a suitable handle attached to the basin below the shield.

H represents an improved form of paddle, having an oblique handle, h, and adapted to be used for knocking the bugs into the basin.

In using the bug-catcher, the operator slips one arm between the guard O and rod F, and grasps the handle G, using the paddle H with his other hand to strike the bushes. The semicylindrical part A is moved along underneath the vines, there being no high ends to obstruct such motion.

It will also be observed that, owing to the superior purchase given by the arm-rod F, a child may use the device as easily as the older devices could be used by adults.

Having thus described my invention, ti following is what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Batenti 1. The bug-catcher having the semi-cylindrical basin A, guard O, handle G, and rod F, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the semi-cylindrical basin A, ends B B, rear guard, O, strengthened by rib D, and handles F and G, for the purpose set forth.

WM. B. PARKER.

Witnesses:

H; W. WHITE, W. H. POWELL. 

